1980 Illinois Fighting Illini football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1980 Illinois Fighting Illini football Big Ten Conference Big Ten 3–7–1 3–5 Mike White 1st Dave Wilson Dave Wilson Dave Dwyer Ron Ferrari Memorial Stadium The 1980 Illinois Fighting Illini football team was an American football team that represented the University of Illinois as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1980 Big Ten season. The Illini finished in three-way tie for sixth place in the Big Ten, compiled a 3–7–1 record (3–5 in Big Ten games), and outscored opponents by a total of 326 to 241.1980 Illinois Fighting Illini Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 26, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1980-schedule.html In December 1979, Illinois hired Mike White to replace Gary Moeller. Moeller's teams had gone 3-16-3 in the prior two seasons. White had been an assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers in 1978 and 1979 and was the head coach for the California Golden Bears from 1972 to 1977.Mike White named Illinois grid coach The Decatur Daily Review December 14, 1979 13 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7317069/mike_white_named_illinois_grid_coach/ The 1980 season was Illinois' first under coach White. Quarterback Dave Wilson led the Big Ten with 245 pass completions, 463 attempts, 3,154 passing yards, and 19 passing touchdowns. The team's other statistical leaders included running back Mike Holmes (305 rushing yards, 4.4 yards per carry), wide receiver Mike Martin (555 receiving yards), and placekicker Mike Bass (45 points, 24 of 25 extra points, seven of 11 field goals).1980 Illinois Fighting Illini Stats Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football July 26, 2025 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/illinois/1980.html Wilson was selected as the team's most valuable player.Fighting Illini Football Record Book University of Illinois 2015 December 29, 2016 155 http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/fightingillini.com/documents/2015/8/3/3_History_7_30.pdf November 29, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201129040612/http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/fightingillini.com/documents/2015/8/3/3_History_7_30.pdf dead Several Illinois players also ranked among the Big Ten leaders in various statistical categories, including the following: Dave Wilson led the Big Ten with 245 pass completions, 463 pass attempts, and 503 total plays and ranked second with 3,154 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, and 2,960 total yards.1980 Big Ten Conference Year Summary Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football November 2, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/big-ten/1980.html Mike Martin ranked second in the Big Ten with 17.9 yard per reception and 8.2 yards per punt return, fourth with 123 punt return yards, and 10th with 555 receiving yards. The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. Schedule AP September 6 w Northwestern Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 35–9 44,222 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-illini-charge-ba/158649791/ Wisconsin State Journal Illini charge back to dump Wildcats September 7, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com September 13 w Michigan State Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 20–17 46,377 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pantagraph-bass-proves-hes-no-fish/158650316/ The Pantagraph Bass proves he's no fish out of water November 14, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com September 20 l y y Missouri 15 Faurot Field Columbia, MO rivalry 7–52 66,306 https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-tigers-are-judge/158633852/ St. Louis Post-Dispatch Tigers are judged 52–7 winners September 21, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com September 27 t y Air Force Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 20–20 45,638 Air Force Holds Illinois to a Tie https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116038151/the-los-angeles-times/ January 8, 2023 Los Angeles Times United Press International September 28, 1980 III-5 Newspapers.com October 4 l y Mississippi State Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 21–28 60,889 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenwood-commonwealth-state-holds-o/134417471/ The Greenwood Commonwealth State holds on to defeat Illinois 28–21 October 5, 1980 October 31, 2023 Newspapers.com October 11 w y Iowa Kinnick Stadium Iowa City, IA 20–14 59,780 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-belleville-news-democrat-illini-surv/158650737/ The Belleville News-Democrat Illini survive Iowa test October 12, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 18 l Purdue Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL rivalry 20–45 62,121 https://www.newspapers.com/article/chronicle-tribune-herrmann-wins-passing/158650782/ Chronicle Tribune Herrmann wins passing game, loses mark October 19, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com October 25 l y Michigan Michigan Stadium Ann Arbor, MI rivalry 14–45 105,109 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-illinois-pummeled/158650822/ The Times Illinois pummeled October 26, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 1 l Minnesota Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL 18–21 51,202 https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-minnesota-tops-i/158650861/ Wisconsin State Journal Minnesota tops Illinois November 2, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 8 l y Ohio State 7 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH Illibuck 42–49 87,952 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kokomo-tribune-buckeyes-edge-illini/158650908/ The Kokomo Tribune Buckeyes edge Illini, 49–42 November 9, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com November 15 l y Indiana Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN rivalry 24–26 38,128 https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press-iu-edges-il/158650977/ Evansville Courier and Press IU edges Illinois November 16, 1980 November 8, 2024 Newspapers.com Preseason In December 1979, Illinois hired Mike White to replace Gary Moeller. Moeller's teams had gone 3–16–3 in the prior two seasons. White had been an assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers in 1978 and 1979 and was the head coach for the California Golden Bears from 1972 to 1977. Game summaries Northwestern On September 6, in the first game of the Big Ten season, Illinois defeated Northwestern, 35–9, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. It was Illinois' first game under new head coach Mike White and its first victory at Memorial Stadium since October 1977.Illinois 35 Northwestern 7 Green Bay Press-Gazette September 7, 1980 D1, D2 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7311328/illinois_35_northwestern_9/ Michigan State On September 13, Illinois defeated Michigan State, 20–17, to spoil Muddy Waters debut as the Spartans' head coach. Mike Bass kicked the game-winning field goal as time ran out.Illinois' final kick boots MSU Detroit Free Press Charlie Vincent September 14, 1980 1H, 6H https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7311712/illinois_final_kick_boots_msu/ At Missouri On September 20, in the Illinois–Missouri football rivalry game, Illinois lost to Missouri (AP No. 15), 52–7, in Columbia, Missouri. The lopsided game was Illinois' first loss under new head coach Mike White. Missouri totaled 486 yards of total offense, including 105 rushing yards by running back James Wilder Sr.Fumbles speed Illini fall The Pantagraphs (Bloomington, Illinois) September 21, 1980 B1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7313106/fumbles_speed_illini_fall/ Air Force On September 27, Illinois and Air Force played to a 20–20 tie before a crowd of 45,638 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. An inadvertent whistle saved the game for Illinois in the fourth quarter. With 6:12 left in the game and Illinois trailing, 20–17, Illinois quarterback fumbled into the arms of a defender, but the play was negated when officials ruled that the play should be replayed as the result of an "inadvertent" whistle blown during the play. Illinois then continued its drive which culminated in a Mike Bass field goal with 3:13 left in the game.Whistle, mistake save tie for Illini The Pantagraph Mark Lewis September 28, 1980 B3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7344096/whistle_mistake_save_tie_for_illini/ Mississippi State On October 4, Illinois lost to Mississippi State, 28–21, before a crowd of 60,889 in Champaign. Illinois quarterback Dave Wilson set an Illinois single-game record with 23 completions and passed for 283 yards. Mississippi State scored its four touchdowns off two Illinois fumbles, an interception, and a blocked punt.Mistake-prone Illinois falls short of Mississippi State The Pantagraph October 5, 1980 B1 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7346688/mistakeprone_illinois_falls_short_of/ At Iowa On October 11, Illinois defeated Iowa, 20–14, before a crowd of 59,780 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Illinois led, 20–0, early in the third quarter when Illinois cornerback Rick George returned a fumble 13 yards for a touchdown on the third play of the second half. Iowa then mounted a comeback that fell short. Keith Chappelle led the comeback effort, catching two touchdown passes in the second half. Chappelle broke an Iowa single-game record with 191 receiving yards and tied another with 11 receptions.Hawks stumble, fumble to fourth straight setback Des Moines Register Buck Turnbull October 12, 1980 1D-2D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7341298/hawks_stumble_fumble_to_fourth/ Purdue On October 18, Purdue defeated Illinois, 45–20, before a crowd of 62,121 in Champaign. In a remarkable passing exhibition, the Big Ten single-game record for passing yardage was broken twice in the same game. Mark Herrmann broke the record first with 371 yards, surpassing the mark set two years earlier by Eddie Smith. Hermann went to the bench halfway through the fourth quarter, only to watch his record broken by Illinois quarterback Dave Wilson who tallied 425 passing yards as the Illini passed with abandon through the final minutes. Wilson also broke Big Ten single-game records with 58 passes and 35 completions.Purdue Routs Illini In Pass-Happy Show The Indianapolis Star October 19, 1980 4-1, 4-8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7364815/purdue_routs_illini_in_passhappy_show/ At Michigan On October 25, Michigan defeated Illinois, 45–14, before a homecoming crowd of 105,109 in Ann Arbor. The game had special significance, because Michigan assistant coaches Gary Moeller and Lloyd Carr had been fired by Illinois after the 1979 season. Rumors spread before the game that coach Schembechler wanted to "make Illinois pay" for the firings.Loren Tate Wolves blast Illini Daily Herald 1980-10-26 Michigan back Stan Edwards and Lawrence Ricks rushed for 152 and 97 yards, respectively. Anthony Carter caught five passes for 121 yards and a touchdown in the first half.Wolverines charge past Illini: Wangler, Carter riddle Illinois defense, 45-14 Detroit Free Press October 26, 1980 Mick McCabe 1H, 7H https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7365223/wolverines_charge_past_illini_wangler/ After the game, the Michigan players presented game balls to assistant coaches Moeller and Carr. Minnesota On November 1, Minnesota defeated Illinois, 21–18, before a homecoming crowd of 51,202 in Champaign. Illinois quarterback Dave Wilson completed 22 of 59 passes for 310 yards and two touchdowns. The game was marred by 12 fumbles and 22 penalties. Minnesota's running backs, Marion Barber, Jr. and Garry White rushed for 162 and 103 yards, respectively.Illinois passes football; Minnesota passes Illini Jim Barnhart The Pantagraph November 2, 1980 B3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7365010/illinois_passes_football_minnesota/ At Ohio State On November 8, Ohio State (AP No. 7) narrowly defeated Illinois, 49–42, in Columbus. Illinois quarterback Dave Wilson set an NCAA single-season record with 621 passing yards. Art Schlichter threw four touchdown passes and broke the Ohio State career total yards record previously held by Archie Griffin.OSU survives brilliant Wilson, 49–42 Detroit Free Press November 9, 1980 7G https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7318426/osu_survives_brilliant_wilson_4942/ At Indiana On November 15, Indiana defeated Illinois, 26–24, in Bloomington. Indiana tailback Lonnie Johnson rushed for a school record 237 yards on 37 carries. Illinois quarterback Dave Wilson kept the game close as he passed for 403 yards and three touchdowns.Johnson leads 26–24 I.U. victory The Indianapolis Star Max Stultz November 16, 1980 4-3 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7317619/johnson_leads_2624_iu_victory/ Roster 1980 Illinois Fighting Illini f 71 Jr Lou Belmont T 63 Sr Greg Boeke C 80 Sr Lee Boeke TE 55 So Adam Lingner C y 9 Sr Tim McAvoy QB 42 Jr Calvin Thomas Calvin Thomas (American football) FB y 18 Sr Dave Wilson Dave Wilson (C) (American football) QB y 84 Jr Kelvin Atkins OLB y 89 Sr Dan MacLean LB 93 Jr Dan Shea DT 34 Jr Jack Squirek LB y 49 Sr Dave Dwyer (C) DT https://fightingillini.com/sports/2015/7/18/football_alltimerosters_1975_1999.aspx?#1980 *Mike White Brad Childress (running backs) References Illinois Category:Illinois Fighting Illini football seasons Illinois Fighting Illini football